Death Note: Volume 3 DVDReview

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Missing this is worse than death.

By N.S. Davidson

It doesn't happen every day, but sometimes a show — or movie, book, etc. — comes along that's so good it leaves its audience speechless. Death Note is a perfect example. There are lots of good anime programs out there; otherwise, anime wouldn't be as big as it is. However, it's rare to find an anime this overwhelmingly good. Death Note is thought-provoking, intense, plot-driven, character-driven, beautifully orchestrated and wonderfully acted. Its storyline is as original as it is brilliant. Each episode has so many new shocking developments it's a challenge to describe it without giving away spoilers.

But saying this won't spoil anything: If you haven't watched Death Note yet, you've got to check it out. Watch it on Adult Swim. Get the DVDs. Heck, there's even a manga version for you! Just don't miss out, whatever you do. You'll be missing out on one of the most intelligent and awe-inspiring anime series ever made.

The main character, Light, is also the main villain. His nemesis, L, is trying to track Light down, and we want that. It's rare and difficult to make a story where the villain leads, but Death Note pulls this off effortlessly. While Light starts out as a sympathetic character, we soon witness his descent into madness. He discovers he has an unhuman power — the power to kill with a notebook — given to him by a god of death, or shinigami. In his pursuit to make a better world by killing off 'unworthy' people — meaning criminals — he instead makes his own form of genocide. The detective L is hot on Light's trail, but how do you catch a killer who never even has to be near his victims? How do you catch a killer with supernatural powers?

L is a brilliant thinker, as is Light. Amazingly, L is able to draw closer and closer to Light, who scrambles to figure out a way to kill L. However, aided by a death god or not, he finds the one person he really wants dead keeps being just out of his reach. The show is about mind games and thought processes, almost like a chess tournament turned anime. If L makes a move, Light has to make another move to save himself. However, while some people don't find chess highly exciting, Death Note is positively gripping. It'll make you think as much as it'll make you gasp. While having all the action of an adventure tale, it makes your mind turn as it touches on philosophical questions like good and evil, life and death, right and wrong. It doesn't give you straight-up answers, but lets the audience grapple.

While Death Note likes to stay in the murky area on its philosophy, one thing remains as clear as day: this is a show that has to be seen.